title: Everolimus treatment of refractory epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epilepsy is a major manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Everolimus is an mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 inhibitor with demonstrated benefit in several aspects of TSC. We report the first prospective human clinical trial to directly assess whether everolimus will also benefit epilepsy in TSC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of everolimus on seizure control was assessed using a prospective, multicenter, open-label, phase I/II clinical trial. Patients≥2 years of age with confirmed diagnosis of TSC and medically refractory epilepsy were treated for a total of 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was percentage of patients with a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency over a 4-week period before and after treatment. Secondary endpoints assessed impact on electroencephalography (EEG), behavior, and quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three patients were enrolled, and 20 patients were treated with everolimus. Seizure frequency was reduced by ≥50% in 12 of 20 subjects. Overall, seizures were reduced in 17 of the 20 by a median reduction of 73% (p<0.001). Seizure frequency was also reduced during 23-hour EEG monitoring (p=0.007). Significant reductions in seizure duration and improvement in parent-reported behavior and quality of life were also observed. There were 83 reported adverse events that were thought to be treatment-related, all of which were mild or moderate in severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seizure control improved in the majority of TSC patients with medically refractory epilepsy following treatment with everolimus. Everolimus demonstrated additional benefits on behavior and quality of life. Treatment was safe and well tolerated. Everolimus may be a therapeutic option for refractory epilepsy in this population.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Division of Child Neurology Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
authors.forename: Darcy A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: Angus A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Wilfong
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holland-Bouley
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Agricola
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tudor
authors.forename: Maxwell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mays
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Mi-Ok
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: David Neal
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Franz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068338:Everolimus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000068338:Everolimus; D020123:Sirolimus